The Last of Us Part II Remastered PC release necessitates a PlayStation Network (PSN) account, sparking controversy among potential players. Launching on April 3rd, 2025, this Steam release follows Sony's trend of porting PlayStation exclusives to PC, but maintaining the PSN account requirement.
This requirement, already a point of contention with previous PC ports, is present on the game's official Steam page. While linking an existing PSN account is possible, the necessity itself is frustrating many fans. The backlash against similar requirements in the past, notably leading to Sony's removal of the PSN requirement from Helldivers 2, suggests potential future resistance.
While understandable from a business perspective—potentially encouraging PSN adoption among PC gamers—the requirement is puzzling for a single-player game like The Last of Us Part II. Unlike games with multiplayer components where a PSN account might be justified, this restriction seems solely aimed at expanding Sony's user base.
This mandate presents several drawbacks. Creating or linking a PSN account adds an extra step, inconveniencing players eager to begin the game. Furthermore, PSN's unavailability in certain regions effectively blocks access for some fans, contradicting the accessibility often associated with the Last of Us franchise. This decision, therefore, risks alienating a portion of the PC gaming community.
